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PWC Philadelphia Member Spotlight: Meet Amy Hennessey

Amy Hennessey first moved to Philadelphia right out of college to start her family. She then moved six times in sixteen years to various parts of the country before settling back in Philadelphia in 2011. Amy committed fourteen years to stay at home to raise four children.

Prior to child rearing, Amy had a successful career in banking. So, it only made sense that, when she was ready to re-enter the workforce, she went back into banking – coincidentally in the same building she had worked fourteen years prior. Realizing that the world of banking had changed, Amy sought work outside of the industry, and landed in commercial construction.

Early in her career in the commercial construction industry, she fell in love with subcontractors – hardworking, family-run businesses, many of whom started with a guy, a pickup truck, and a dream – the core and base of the construction industry. Her banking background (small business and commercial lending) allowed Amy to truly understand the industry – the highs and lows, the strengths and weaknesses.

After a brief stint at General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), Amy then went to the Subcontractor Association of Delaware Valley (SADV), where she earned her “name” and found success in this new-to-her industry. Now, Amy spends her time as Executive Director at Employing Bricklayers Association, “It has been a journey of lessons, of people, and of situations to find my ultimate job that I love at EBA and where I am respected.”

Amy has a true respect for subcontractors – their ability to run a successful business, their work ethic, their survival – working in all kinds of weather to provide a means and a lifestyle to their families. “My desire is to help them as much as I can to make their job easier, to help them with obstacles that may come up.”

Being part of PWC allows Amy to mentor younger women through an industry full of men – to be a woman working. “I was lucky enough to stay at home with my kids. I don’t know how these women work and raise a family.” It’s important to Amy that women have a seat at the table, but also that the seat is earned, not given.

For Amy, feminism is “…respecting and supporting every woman’s decisions, both personally and professionally. We need to share our experiences as women and be mentors, so we can become better people. We all have various strengths and weaknesses and it is our job to help one another achieve our own definition of success.”